International nurse

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2008

i am moving this to this international forum where it will get a better response

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 11, 2008

Hi, I just took the Nclex exam and I passed. I am an international nurse and I do not know what is the following step to work in USA. I have already passed the TOEFL and complete the CES report of CGFNS. Can anyone help me??? thanks:bugeyes:

Welcome

Once you have met US licensure requirements then you need to find a employer and start the process but be aware with retrogression depending on where you was born you are looking at several years waiting for a visa so may want to consider another country.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 11, 2008

You needed to have completed the CES to even get permission to sit for the NCLEX exam. Did you write the iBT TOEFL exam or just the plain TOEFL? You need the full series to be able to have it count for immigration and to obtain the Visa Screen Certificate.

As mentioned above, you can start with finding an employer, but you need to be aware of the fact that the retrogression has been ongoing for over two years now and there are already many waiting in line in front of you for the green card.

Suggest that you read the Primer at the top of this forum for specific information that you need to be aware of.

Best of luck to you.

giufama · Nov 11, 2008

I have already complete the CES report and take the TOEFL ibt, I am not looking for a green card, I am concerned about the following steps that I have to do when I receive the official result of my NCLEX test, in order to be able to work. Can I look for a job now? Should I have to ask the employer to ask for a visa? Thanks for help me.:nuke:

suzanne4, RN · Nov 11, 2008

The only visa that you have available to work in the US is with the green card. There are extremely limited working visas and they can be cancelled at any time and they also have very strict requirements for them. They are also extremely hard to get.

In order to be able to work in the US, you must possess a visa that will permit you to work. You also need to have a Visa Screen Certificate in hand in order to be able to get a visa as well as a license for the specific state that you wish to work in as well for any type of temporary visa.

Not sure if you are aware of what is happening with the retrogression or if you are on a visa already that will permit you to work; you did not mention that.

giufama · Nov 11, 2008

Hi, first of all thanks for help me. At this moment I am living in Illinois but I have a J2 visa. I think I have to change it, I was looking for the visa screen in CGFNS web site but I do not understand what it is different with Illinois because they say that I need a Certified Statement, in addition there they ask me a score of 26 in the speaking section of the Toefl, which was not asked by the Illinois State to take the Nclex exam. Should I hace to take the Toefl again? Do I have to ask a visa screen anyway?:typing

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 12, 2008

Hi, first of all thanks for help me. At this moment I am living in Illinois but I have a J2 visa. I think I have to change it, I was looking for the visa screen in CGFNS web site but I do not understand what it is different with Illinois because they say that I need a Certified Statement, in addition there they ask me a score of 26 in the speaking section of the Toefl, which was not asked by the Illinois State to take the Nclex exam. Should I hace to take the Toefl again? Do I have to ask a visa screen anyway?:typing

Can not adjust your status to a working visa at the moment due to retrogression. Yes you will need VSC for a work visa only time you don't is if you are marrying or married to a USC or your spouse is main applicant of a work visa. You will have to meet VSC requirements to be issued it so would wait and see what they say about your English results

giufama · Nov 12, 2008

Sorry, but I do not get what retrogression is. I have lived here since July and I am learning everyday something new. My husband is working here now that the reason why I have the J2 visa. I supposed can ask for a work, but I think it is better to change the visa for one of work directly to me.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 12, 2008

This is what we are trying to explain to you, there is no way to adjust your visa from the J-2 to one that will permit you to work. There has been a retrogression in place for more than two years and visas are essentially at a standstill now. You are looking are perhaps about five years before things open up since you would be wishing to go thru the Adjustment of Status processing or better known as AOS. The government got forced to accept petitions last summer when there were no visas available and that was close to 800,000. Knowing that there are only 140,000 green cards per year and that this number also includes those that are waiting patiently out of the US for a visa, it is going to be a long wait.

In general we do not have temporary work visas for nurses; most facilities will not use them and there are many restrictions with them as well.

Much has already been written on this topic, would just do a search here and then let me know if you have any more questions.

giufama · Nov 12, 2008

does it mean that I made everything for nothing? :cry:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 12, 2008

does it mean that I made everything for nothing?

If you mean can you not work then yes, unfortunately that is how things are at the moment in the US and don't expect it to change soon